Any Chance Memphis Apply For The NBA All Star Game

Does anyone think Memphis will apply to host the All-Star for the 2015, or 2016? Rudy, Conley, and Gasol all will still be around and in their prime. I think this would help generate money for the city and pump some much needed enegry back into the fans and get their interest back into not only the NBA but the much needed Memphis Grizzlies.

The NBA is far from desperate for All-Star venues. Austin said they usually get seven or eight teams interested each year. They will soon announce the 2014 host city and in the spring will send out bid specifications for '15 and '16.

As for Michael Reinsdorf's contention that only about 3,000 of 15,000 season-ticket holders would end up with tickets -- "It's not fair to them," he said -- Austin said the re-configuration of arenas could increase that number. He also pointed to the financial benefits to the city.

"The civic-minded entities within a city ... can be helpful in convincing [the Reinsdorfs] that it's not a bad thing," Austin said, "because when a game comes there, it's going to be shown in more than 215 countries, in 40 languages and everything is going to say Chicago on top of that."

I have often thought about this. Many times I have read articles about the top ten NBA arenas and their locations, and rarely is the FedEx Forum not on the list.
Orlando is hosting their 2nd all star game. Grizzlies - 0.

I have often thought about this. Many times I have read articles about the top ten NBA arenas and their locations, and rarely is the FedEx Forum not on the list.Orlando is hosting their 2nd all star game. Grizzlies - 0.

The City, Community, Fans, Businesses, Airport, Hotels, Casinos, I can name numerous of entities that could benefit from this, even the Memphis Tigers and their recruiting. When you're able to showcase your city and talent by hosting an NBA All Star I think it speaks wonders. If Memphis ever host it I bet you the year they do the Grizzlies will have at least 2 All Star players representing that year. If I were a Casino owner I would be on the phone with Mike Heisely planning on how to make this work and how I could aid in bringing this ONCE A YEAR event here similiar to a mini Superbowl.

I've heard that we don't meet criteria for bid specifications; I'm not sure what those are, but I think that it is the downtown hotel room number that is an issue. I think that there has to be a certain number of a certain quality of hotel rooms within a required radius of the main events.

EDIT: The best I could find is that Memphis has about 4K hotel rooms in downtown and about 20K in the city including 6300 in Tunica; I am not sure how old this site is, but it says 2012 Memphis Visitors and Convention Bureau at the bottom. By comparison Orlando has144K in 597 hotels and Houston (Greater Houston area) has 55K in around 400 hotels.

Wow, just sad. I think the Commissioners should go against the grain and give Memphis a chance to host it. They've held major Boxing Matches here before but I know the NBA All Star is on a much bigger scale, but the question I have is they host a "Bowl" game here, Liberty Bowl I believe with over 60,000K fans along with the Soutern Heritage Classic football game with probably close to 50,000K fans from over 2-3 states. Personally, I think they could pull it off. Reserve the (3) major hotels for NBA staff/players/family, i.e., Westin, Peabody, and Madison. Everybody get in where they fit in. Another point is how in the world does Memphis support, and hold "Memphis in May" EVERY YEAR with over 600,000 vistors with no problem, but we can't hold host an freaking NBA All Star Game? I don't get that. No way, more than 600,000 people showed up in Orlando this past weekend, no way sir re BOB. LOL.

I don't think hotels is the issue. If the COGIC still meets in Memphis, they had always complained about not having enough hotels, and I thought Memphis worked that out.

I think the biggest reason for the All-Stars not coming here, Memphis is not a tourist trap, besides Graceland and Beale St. You look at Orlando, NYC and other host towns, they have a lot to do. This is what Memphis needs to work on to get tourney or All-Star games.

I don't think hotels is the issue. If the COGIC still meets in Memphis, they had always complained about not having enough hotels, and I thought Memphis worked that out.

I think the biggest reason for the All-Stars not coming here, Memphis is not a tourist trap, besides Graceland and Beale St. You look at Orlando, NYC and other host towns, they have a lot to do. This is what Memphis needs to work on to get tourney or All-Star games.

Dunno, I wouldn't say Dallas or Phoenix are exactly tourist traps either, and they got the ASG very recently.

It's a mystery...but it could be public transportation along with hotel accomodations, and then attractions. I don't even think Memphis has an amusement park. Unless you count 201 poplar as one. LOL. It's a bunch of clowns in there. LOL.